by Catalina Camia , USA TODAY

by Catalina Camia , USA TODAY

WASHINGTON -- President Obama endorsed Newark Mayor Cory Booker for Senate, saying the Democrat will be "an important partner" on the economy, reducing gun violence and other key issues.

"Cory Booker has dedicated his life to the work of building hope and opportunity in communities where too little of either existed," Obama said in a statement released Wednesday by Booker's campaign. "Whether as a college student working in East Palo Alto or as mayor of New Jersey's largest city, Cory has time and again taken on tough challenges, fought for the middle class and those working to join it, and forged coalitions that create progress â?? and that's the spirit he'll carry with him to Washington."

Booker faces Republican Steve Lonegan in the Oct. 16 special election to succeed the late Frank Lautenberg. The Newark mayor is leading Lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota, by 16 percentage points in a Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll released this week.

Booker has been an enthusiastic supporter of Obama, although the two disagreed on the impact of Republican Mitt Romney's private equity work. Booker last year slammed an Obama campaign ad criticizing Romney's record as head of Bain Capital, calling it a "nauseating" attack, but later walked back his remarks.

The mayor said Obama had been "incredibly gracious" about the flap, which was in the headlines for a couple of days.

Booker said in a statement that he is "humbled" by Obama's endorsement. It is unclear if Obama will campaign with Booker in New Jersey, a state the president visited in May for a tour of Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts along the Jersey Shore.

Lonegan said Obama's endorsement of Booker is no surprise, calling his Senate rival an "enthusiastic rubber stamp" for the president's agenda.